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Agilent (A) Beats on Earnings and Revenue Estimates in Q3

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Agilent Technologies’ (A - Free Report) fiscal third-quarter 2018 earnings of 67 cents per share came in above the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4 cents. Earnings increased 14% year over year.

Agilent’s fiscal third-quarter 2018 revenues of $1.203 billion increased 8% year over year. Revenues were within management’s guided range of $1.185-$1.205 billion and above the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.195 billion.

The year-over-year revenue growth was supported by strong improvement across all its product lines and regions.

Notably, the company’s shares have declined 12.2% in the past year, underperforming the industry’s growth of 14%.

Revenues by Segment

Agilent has three reporting segments — Life Sciences & Applied Markets Group (LSAG), Agilent Cross Lab Group (ACG) and Diagnostics and Genomics Group (DGG).

In the reported quarter, LSAG was the largest contributor and accounted for $540 million or 45% of the total revenues, reflecting an increase of 6% from the prior-year quarter. This was driven by strong performances in the Pharma and Chemical and Energy markets.

Revenues from ACG came in at $426 million or 36% of total revenues, reflecting an increase of 10% year over year. Both services and consumables witnessed growth across all geographical regions.

Revenues from DGG came in at $237 million and accounted for the remaining 19% of total revenues. The segment was up 9% from the year-ago quarter, led by strength in genomics.

Operating Results

The pro-forma gross margin in the quarter was 56.7%, up 130 basis points (bps) sequentially and 160 bps year over year.

Operating expenses (research & development and selling, general & administrative expenses) were $436 million, 10.4% higher than the year-ago quarter.

As a result, adjusted operating margin was 22.3%, up 60 basis points (bps) sequentially and 110 bps year over year.

Balance Sheet

Upon exiting the fiscal third quarter, inventories totaled $623 million, reflecting an increase up from $594 in the prior quarter. Agilent’s long-term debt was $1.8 billion at the end of the quarter. Cash and cash equivalents were $2.1 billion compared with $3.01 billion in fiscal second-quarter 2018.

Net cash provided by operating activities was $197 million and capital expenditure totaled $33 million.

In the reported quarter, the company paid $48 million in dividends. There was no share repurchase activity during the period.

Guidance

Agilent provided guidance for fiscal fourth-quarter 2018.

Agilent expects revenues between $1.24 billion and $1.26 billion and earnings per share in the range of 72-74 cents for the fiscal fourth quarter. The Zacks Consensus Estimate is $1.26 billion for revenues and 73 cents earnings per share.

For fiscal 2018, Agilent projects revenues in the range of $4.86-$4.88 billion and earnings per share within $2.69-$2.71.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate is earnings of $4.88 per share and revenues of $2.67 billion.

Agilent Technologies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise

 

Agilent Technologies, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Agilent Technologies, Inc. Quote

Zacks Rank and Other Stocks to Consider

Currently, Agilent has a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). Some other stocks worth considering in the same industry are Expedia Group, Inc. (EXPE - Free Report) , Infineon Technologies AG (IFNNY - Free Report) and Rambus Inc. (RMBS - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Long-term earnings growth for Expedia, Infineon Technologies and Rambus is currently projected to be 16.1%, 7.5% and 10%, respectively.

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